Argos hire another coach

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The Argonauts added another piece to their coaching staff on Tuesday but lost a player who played admirably for them in the latter stages of 2008.

Receiver P.K. Sam, who had three touchdowns and 499 receiving yards in six games for Toronto, signed with the Buffalo Bills. While that was happening, Argos head coach Bart Andrus hired Richard Kent as the club's new secondary coach.

The loss of Sam didn't overly surprise general manager Adam Rita, but a hole in the receiving corps is a result nonetheless.

"I thought he was the missing link for us," Rita said. "We have a great player in Arland Bruce and Andre Talbot did a good job, and when we added P.K. to that mix, he really helped us.

"He has a home here if things don't work out for him in Buffalo."

The hiring of Kent is the third such move by Andrus since he took over on Jan. 16. Kent was part of Andrus' staff for three seasons with Amsterdam of NFL Europa and worked for several other teams in the now-defunct league.

"Richard was instrumental in helping our football team get to (two World Bowls, one of which they won)," Andrus said. "His knowledge of special teams and personnel is also extensive and he is a great teacher of technique."

Andrus also has hired Peter Kuharchek as the defensive co-ordinator and Ron Heller as the offensive line coach. One job yet to be filled is that of offensive co-ordinator, and there's a chance the man who most recently held that post with the Argos, Steve Buratto, could leave the organization. It has been reported that the Argos have granted the Edmonton Eskimos have asked the Argos for permission to talk to Buratto, but Rita refused to confirm as much.

When he was hired 11 days ago, Andrus indicated he wanted to keep Buratto on staff, but probably not as the offensive co-ordinator.